Melaleuca diosmatifolia is relatively common in cultivation where it is often still referred to under its previous name of M. Erubescens. It is generally a small shrub less than 1.5 metres high but it may occasionally reach 3 metres. It has narrow, linear leaves 7 to 15mm long, ending in a small point (a mucro). The flowers are usually seen in spring and early summer and occur in bottlebrush-type spikes up to 30 mm long and about 15 to 20 mm in diameter on short branches.The flower colour is usually pale to deep mauve. The flowers are followed by small, globular fruits containing many small seeds and which remain on the plant indefinitely.
This is a hardy species which can be grown in a wide range of climates. It prefers moist soils and can be grown in soils which are less than perfectly drained. It prefers a sunny, open position but will also grown in light shade. It is tolerant of at least moderate frost. The species responds to annual fertilising after flowering and to an annual light pruning to encourage a bushy shape.
Propagation is easy from both seed and cuttings.
In the wild, Melaleuca plants are generally found in open forest, woodland or shrubland, particularly along watercourses and the edges of swamps.
The best-accepted common name for Melaleuca is simply melaleuca; however most of the larger species are also known as paperbarks, and the smaller types as honey myrtles.
Melaleucas are popular garden plants, both in Australia and other tropical areas worldwide.
Uses
Traditional Aboriginal uses
Aborigines use the leaves traditionally for many medicinal purposes, including chewing the young leaves to alleviate headache and for other ailments.
